News | U.S. Army Central

Task Force Spartan Soldier memorializes 9/11 firefighters
September 10, 2019 — A Task Force Spartan soldier honored 343 firefighters who lost their lives on Sept. 11, 2001, by walking in his fire fighting brothers and sisters shoes for about a half hour, Sept. 6, 2019, at the Camp Arifjan gym... MORE

Capt. Robert Schapiro, Task Force Javelin liaison and volunteer fire fighter honored 343 firefighters who lost their lives on Sept. 11, 2001 by climbing 110 stories in full fire fighter kit, Sept. 6, 2019, at the Camp Arifjan gym.

Coalition live fire closes out Eager Lion 2019
September 7, 2019 — A thunderous riot of artillery and small arms fire pockmarked the desert hills as the culminating event of Eager Lion 2019, a coalition combined arms live fire exercise, came to a calamitous conclusion Sept. 5, 2019... MORE

An M1A2 Abrams main battle tank from the 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, fires its 120mm gun downrange during a coalition combined arms live fire exercise, part of Eager Lion 2019, in Jordan, Sept. 5, 2019. The CALFEX was the culminating event of the multinational exercise, which saw up to 30 different countries participating in allied training scenarios that improved their collective ability to plan and operate in a coalition-type environment. In its ninth year, Eager Lion is U.S. Central Command’s premiere exercise in the Levant region.

U.S., Jordanian soldiers train shoulder to shoulder at Eager Lion 2019
September 5, 2019 — Soldiers from the U.S., Jordanian and British militaries trained shoulder-to-shoulder during a situational training exercise as part of exercise Eager Lion in Jordan, Sept. 2, 2019... MORE

A Royal Jordanian Army Soldier from the 39th Mechanized Infantry Battalion provides security while Soldiers from the U.S. Army's 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, call out enemy objectives during a situational training exercise- part of Eager Lion 2019- at an urban assault training village near Amman, Jordan, Sept. 2, 2019.

American, Jordanian soldiers conduct medevac training
August 28, 2019 — Jordanian and American soldiers partnered together to conduct medical evacuation drills for the first time with a U.S. Army Reserve aviation asset during U.S. Central Command exercise Eager Lion 2019... MORE

U.S. Army Sgt. Ignacio Aparicio, center, crew chief, Golf Company, 5th Battalion, 159th Aviation Regiment, talks to members of Jordan Armed Forces’ 7th Mechanized Infantry Battalion about hand signals and casualty loading procedures during medical evacuation training in preparation for exercise Eager Lion 2019, Aug. 21, 2019. This multinational exercise is U.S. Central Command’s premiere exercise in the Levant region and is a major training event that provides U.S. forces, Jordan Armed Forces and 28 other participating nations the opportunity to improve their collective ability to plan and operate in a coalition-type environment. (U.S. Army Reserve photo by Sgt. Zach Mott)

Proper planning provides successful foundation for Eager Lion 19
August 26, 2019 — The field commanders from U.S. and Jordanian land forces participating in Eager Lion 19 came together for the first time during an initial planning conference in the heart of the Jordanian desert Aug. 19. The meeting between senior leaders was an opportunity to synchronize the training expectations for each unit ahead of the coalition exercise... MORE

U.S. Army Lt. Col. Omar Minott, left, the commander of 1st Squadron, 102nd Cavalry Regiment, 44th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, New Jersey Army National Guard, shakes hands with Jordanian Armed Forces Lt. Col. Saif Al Khawaldeh, the commander of the 39th Mechanized Infantry Battalion, prior to a planning meeting for Exercise Eager Lion 19 in Jordan on Aug. 19, 2019. This multinational exercise is U.S. Central Command’s premiere exercise in the Levant region and is a major training event that provides U.S. forces, Jordan Armed Forces and 28 other participating nations the opportunity to improve their collective ability to plan and operate in a coalition-type environment.

‘Flying Tigers’ bound into Eager Lion
August 22, 2019 — Just past midnight on August 12, 2019, Task Force Javelin’s forward element arrived at the unit’s launching point for MEDEVAC and air assault missions during the multilateral exercise Eager Lion 2019 hosted by the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan... MORE

244th Combat Aviation Brigade Soldiers with Task Force Javelin offload a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter from a U.S. Air Force Strategic Airlift C-17, shortly after arriving to King Abdullah II Air Base, Jordan, in anticipation of Eager Lion 19, Aug. 12, 2019. Eager Lion is U.S. Central Command’s premiere military training exercise in the Levant region. The event provides U.S. forces, Royal Jordanian Armed Forces, and 27 other participating nations the opportunity to improve their collective ability to plan and operate in a coalition environment.

Task Force Spartan civil affairs professionals celebrate 64 years
August 16, 2019 — Civil Affairs Soldiers from the 38th Infantry Division discuss their role supporting Task Force Spartan in southwest Asia as they celebrated the 64th anniversary of the civil affairs branch... MORE

Staff Sgt. Holly Horned, Task Force Spartan civil affairs noncommissioned officer, 38th Infantry Division, from Carmel, Indiana; Lt. Col. Steve Slaughter, Task Force Spartan civil affairs officer in charge, 38th Infantry Division, from Columbus, Indiana; and Sgt. Maj. Romeo Gamazon, Task Force Spartan noncommissioned officer in charge, U.S. Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command, from Fayetteville, North Carolina, celebrate the 64th civil affairs anniversary in Kuwait, August 16, 2019.

Task Force Spartan commander visits Kuwait Naval Base troops
August 15, 2019 — The Task Force Spartan commanding general paid a visit to U.S. troops stationed at the Kuwait Naval Base situated along the Persian Gulf, Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2019. ... MORE

Maj. Gen. Gordon L. Ellis, talks with 511th Engineer Dive Detachment soldiers during a visit to Kuwait Naval Base, Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2019. The detachment conducts combat, general and geospatial engineer dive operations throughout U.S. Army Central.

Task Force Spartan maintenance drives readiness
August 12, 2019 — Soldiers from the 38th Infantry Division serving with Task Force Spartan in Kuwait repair and maintain military vehicles to ensure the soldiers are mission ready for any contingency... MORE

Sgt. Dallas Rohlick, a motor transport operator, attached to 38th Infantry Division drains fluids from a light medium tactical vehicle for turn in August 9, 2019 in Kuwait keeping Task Force Spartan ready for any mission.

Soldiers and Corpsmen Participate in Joint CASEVAC and MEDEVAC Training
August 8, 2019 — U.S. Navy corpsmen assigned to the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, and U.S. Army medics with Golf Company, 5th Battalion, 159th Aviation Regiment, participated in a joint-service casualty evacuation and medical evacuation class at Camp Buehring, Kuwait, Aug. 1... MORE

U.S. Sailors with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit observe an HH-60M helicopter take off during a joint-service casualty evacuation class at Camp Buehring, Kuwait. The Boxer Amphibious Ready Group and the 11th MEU are deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations in support of naval operations to ensure maritime stability and security in the Central Region, connecting the Mediterranean and the Pacific through the Western Indian Ocean and three strategic choke points.

U.S. Army, Kuwait Land Forces Signal Soldiers Conduct Joint Training
July 16, 2019 — U.S. Soldiers from the 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division and Kuwait Land Forces Soldiers worked together on radio retransmission over the course of three weeks, further developing their signal skill sets and building upon an ongoing U.S.-Kuwaiti partnership... MORE

Spc. Brennan, a signal Soldier with 588th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, works to install a quick erect antenna mast (QEAM) during a radio retransmission (RETRANS) training validation event outside of Camp Buehring, Kuwait Wednesday, July 10. RETRANS teams trained for several weeks leading up to the validation exercise.

38th ID assumes authority of Task Force Spartan in the Middle East
July 16, 2019 — Soldiers with the 38th Infantry Division assumed authority of U.S. Army Central Command's Task Force Spartan during a ceremony at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait. More than 600 National Guardsmen with the 38th deployed to the Middle East in July to helm the task force that's in charge of more than 10,000 U.S. service members in the gulf region... MORE

Major Gen. Gordon Ellis, left, commanding general, and Command Sgt. Maj. Dale Shetler, senior enlisted leader, 38th Infantry Division, Indiana Army National Guard, uncase the division colors to symbolize the transfer of authority as the Task Force Spartan division headquarters element during a ceremony at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, July 15, 2019. Task Force Spartan serves to increase military readiness and capability in order to maintain regional stability and expand regional partnerships in the U.S. Central Command’s area of responsibility.

Multi-component soldiers unite, deliver aviation excellence
July 8, 2019 — Soldiers from the National Guard and Army Reserve, united under Company D, 8th Battalion, 229th Aviation Regiment, rely on professionalism and teamwork to deliver aviation excellence for Operations Spartan Shield and Inherent Resolve... MORE

Sgt. Johnathan Kessel, an aviation component repairer (right) and Spc. James Chaffins, an aviation electrician both with the Kentucky Army National Guard’s 2nd Battalion, 147th Aviation Regiment, currently assigned to D Company, 8th Battalion, 229th Aviation Regiment, 244th Combat Aviation Brigade, troubleshoot a suspected malfunctioning UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter warning light, June 26, 2019, at Camp Buehring, Kuwait.

Grappling with Allies
June 28, 2019 — U.S. Army Sgt. Linsey Williams, a public affairs specialist with the 34th Red Bull Infantry Division, Minnesota Army National Guard, got her first taste of grappling in the basic combatives course during her initial entry training with the U.S. Army in 2011... MORE

Sergeant. Linsey William, a public affairs specialist with the 34th Red Bull Infantry Division, Minnesota Army National Guard, poses for a photo June 28, 2019, on Camp Arifjan, Kuwait. William teaches Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu club on her off time while stationed in Kuwait.

Minnesota Guard partners with Kuwaiti Counterparts for Exercise
June 10, 2019 — Soldiers of Task Force Spartan gathered at the Kuwait Special Forces Training Center with counterparts from the Kuwait Ministry of Interior and Kuwait National Guard on May 2 for Al Watan One, a joint terrorism and weapons of mass destruction (WMD) exercise... MORE

Members of the Kuwait Ministry of Interior’s Special Weapons and Tactics team prepare to breach a building while pulling security on May 2, 2019, during a joint exercise with a simulated terrorist, explosive ordnance, and chemical situation at the Kuwait Special Forces Training Center. The exercise was crafted to build a shared understanding of Kuwait Civil Authorities and U.S. forces procedures while reacting to any disaster, natural and manmade alike.

3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division Changes Command
June 10, 2019 — Nearly two years after assuming command of the 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division in Cincu, Romania during a brigade rotation in Europe, Col. Michael J. Simmering relinquished command of the brigade to Col. Grant S. Fawcett in a change of command ceremony at Camp Buehring, Kuwait on Saturday, June 8, 2019, as the brigade supports Operation Spartan Shield... MORE

3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division Command Sgt. Maj. Brian D. Haydt prepares to pass the brigade colors to outgoing commander Col. Michael J. Simmering one last time as a symbol of the passing of leadership during a change of command ceremony at Camp Buehring, Kuwait on Saturday, June 8, 2019. Simmering relinquished command to incoming commander Col. Grant S. Fawcett.

3rd ABCT Hosts Expert Infantryman Badge Testing in Kuwait
June 4, 2019 — While on rotation in support of Operation Spartan Shield, the 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division hosted Expert Infantryman Badge (EIB) testing, inviting infantry Soldiers deployed across the U.S. Central Command area of operations to train and compete for their badge... MORE

Staff Sgt. Stephen Frazier, an infantryman in 1st Battalion, 66th Armor Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, is pinned with an Expert Infantryman Badge during a ceremony at Camp Buehring, Kuwait on Saturday, June 1, 2019. Frazier and 60 other infantry Soldiers deployed throughout the U.S. Army Central area of operations earned their EIB after completing a week of thorough testing with 3rd ABCT at Camp Buehring.

3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team Supports SHARP Program Overseas
May 28, 2019 — Three months into their deployment in the U.S. Central Command area of operations, the 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division SHARP program is active as ever in training Soldiers and promoting resources to handle cases of sexual harassment and assault... MORE

Chief Warrant Officer 2 FIRST NAME LAST NAME, a criminal investigator with Camp Buehring, Kuwait, briefs an audience of leaders from 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division Sexual Harassment and Assault Reponse and Prevention (SHARP) program during leader professional development at Camp Buehring on May 23, 2019. Continuing to learn together enabled SHARP leaders to maintain the same standards across the formation and best serve victims of sexual harassment and assault.

Serving Our Troops Visits Kuwait
May 25, 2019 — With the sweltering heat of Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, topping more than 111 degrees Fahrenheit, volunteers for Serving Our Troops armed themselves with spatulas and aprons as they drop the first steaks on the grill on May 25, 2019. The Twin-Cities based organization made the trek to the Middle East with more than 40 volunteers to serve freshly grilled steaks to the more than 600 Soldiers deployed with the 34th Red Bull Infantry Division... MORE

More than 40 volunteers from Minnesota flew halfway around the world to serve a steak dinner to Soldiers of the 34th Red Bull Infantry Division deployed to Camp Arifjan in Kuwait this evening. At the same time, the Twin Cities-based Serving Our Troops organization is serving a steak dinner to family members and friends of the Soldiers back home at the Saint Paul RiverCentre. As Soldiers and their families enjoy steaks donated by a number of Twin Cities restaurants, a live-video feed has connected the two sites, giving troops and their loved ones the opportunity to enjoy dinner together. During this evening's event, Serving Our Troops, which has been supporting military members and their families for 15 years, served its 100,000th steak.

2019 Best Cyber Warrior Competition
May 24, 2019 — Moving forward and adding others into the mix was the focus for the 2019 Best Cyber Warrior Competition as teams from the Army, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Navy as well as our partner nations gathered at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, May 14 to 16... MORE

Soldiers from Task Force Spartan, Team Istari, pose for a photo after finishing third overall at the 2019 Best Cyber Warrior Competition at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, May 16, 2019. The Best Cyber Warrior Competition is an annual event designed to increase the culture of cybersecurity awareness and understanding at all echelons, reduce risk, and protect Army, Department of Defense, and personal networks through hosting an interactive learning experience in both a fun and competitive environment.

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